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Colin Farrell drank melted ice cream to gain weight for role

The Irish actor said he "gasped" when he saw himself shirtless on screen.

By Annie Martin
Colin Farrell at a photocall for 'The Lobster' at the 2015 Cannes International Film Festival on May 15, 2015. Photo by David Silpa/UPI
1 of 5 | Colin Farrell at a photocall for 'The Lobster' at the 2015 Cannes International Film Festival on May 15, 2015. Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo

CANNES, France, May 22 (UPI) -- Colin Farrell gained 40 pounds in eight weeks for his role in The Lobster.

The 38-year-old actor revealed as much in an interview for the latest issue of The Hollywood Reporter. Farrell packed on the pounds to portray lonely protagonist David in the new Yorgos Lanthimos film.

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"I would put [ice cream] in the microwave to melt and drink it," the star detailed. "Two cheeseburgers, fries and Coca-Colas, and two slices of chocolate cake at 10 a.m. is not that fun -- and I love cheeseburgers."

"It makes you aware of how you've identified being a certain way," he said of how his body's changes affected his self-perception. "I gasped [when I saw myself shirtless on screen]. I'd forgotten what it looked like."

The movie is set in a dystopian future where single people are obligated to find a mate within 45 days or be transformed into animals. Rachel Weisz, John C. Reilly and Lea Seydoux co-star in the dark romantic comedy, which will open in the U.K. in October.

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The Lobster screened in competition this week at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, where it was picked up by Alchemy distribution. Executive vice-president of marketing Brooke Ford lauded, "The Lobster is alternately beautiful, romantic, mysterious and hilarious."

Farrell last appeared in Miss Julie with Jessica Chastain, and is scheduled for Solace with Abby Cornish. The actor will also star on season two of HBO series True Detective, which released a new trailer with Farrell, Rachel McAdams, Taylor Kitsch and Vince Vaughn last week.

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